Spring 2018 Courses

Prerequisite: Legal Research & Legal Writing
This course is restricted to upper division students who have completed the first year, two semester, Legal Research and Legal Writing course or who otherwise obtain the permission of the instructor. This one credit, pass-fail, seven week course will sol...

This seven-week course focuses on research resources used in business and commercial practice. The emphasis of the course is on identifying sources and efficiently undertaking corporate, securities, and general business and commercial law research. It is not a class on the substantive aspects of cor...

This seven-week course will focus on the resources and methodology used in performing legal research in Texas. Through a series of lectures and assignments students will become familiar with the various types of legal research; including statutory law, case law, administrative regulations, and secon...

Administrative agencies make policy, regulate, and adjudicate across issues ranging from natural resource management and environmental protection to public benefits and workplace safety. This course examines the constitutional and statutory framework surrounding the creation and operation of adminis...

There is more to legal writing than the appellate brief. Legal Writing, Adv: Litigation introduces the types of documents used in civil litigation, such as the complaint and answer, discovery requests and objections, and jury instructions. All students will be required to write several litigation ...

The course offers practical experience in drafting and reviewing contracts, corporate documents, and licenses, using a software startup company as a source of examples. We will begin from the initial engagement letter and work through the life cycle of the company through sale of the company. ...

The course focuses on the structure and style of contracts and agreements with a focus on modern drafting conventions. Students will practice revising and drafting various kinds of transactional documents.

THIS COURSE WILL TAKE A CRIMINAL CASE FROM ITS INCEPTION THROUGH TRIAL, PLEA OR DISMISSAL. STUDENTS WILL PERFORM SKILLS WEEKLY ON DIFFERENT ELEMENTS OF THE CASE SUCH AS CASE EVALUATION, PRETRIAL MOTIONS, PLEA NEGOTIATIONS, WITNESS PREPARATION AND TRIAL. ETHICS WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED. THE COURSE IS RE...

Course Description Writing for Practice aka Yes, you can practice law in simple American English Among the major problems encountered by young lawyers as they enter practice is the transition from writing like a student to writing like a lawyer. This course is designed to make that transition easier...

This course will be a short course devoted to current immigration topics. Students admitted to the course may suggest seminar topics that may be included in the syllabus. Topics may include the immigration consequences of crimes, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, immigration policies and chall...

This class is limited to 3L students. It is for students who have mastered the basic and advanced advocacy skills and will focus on cutting-edge advocacy theories and techniques. The class combines both lecture and practice sessions focusing on both traditional legal exercises and new non-verbal beh...

So you know the basics of litigation, what next? Are you ready to take a deposition, represent a client in mediation or try a case to an arbitrator? An effective advocate needs the knowledge and skill to assess which dispute resolution process best suits the case. In this practice intensive class, y...

So you know the basics of litigation, what next? Are you ready to take a deposition, represent a client in mediation or try a case to an arbitrator? An effective advocate needs the knowledge and skill to assess which dispute resolution process best suits the case. In this practice intensive class, y...

This class has a mandatory evening skills component (Monday or Wednesday evening). Students must register for both the lecture (376M) and either Monday or Wednesday evening skills portion (176N) of the class. Please note, the evening Skills portion of the class will not begin until week 5 or 6 of th...

This class has a mandatory evening skills component (Monday or Wednesday evening). Students must register for both the lecture (376M) and either Monday or Wednesday evening skills portion (176N) of the class. Please note, the evening Skills portion of the class will not begin until week 5 or 6 of th...

This class has a mandatory evening skills component (Monday or Wednesday evening). Students must register for both the lecture (376M) and either Monday or Wednesday evening skills portion (176N) of the class. Please note, the evening Skills portion of the class will not begin until week 5 or 6 of th...

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (3 HOUR COURSE) Alternative dispute resolution has now overtaken the courtroom trial as a leading method of litigation. Whether the parties are compelled to do so by a contract or court order, litigation will include—or be converted into—some form of alternative di...

This class will focus on a variety of subjects that will explore why America’s middle-class struggles to achieve the American Dream. Topics we will explore: how labor laws have helped create and maintain the income inequality gaps, how housing laws have helped created economically (and racially) s...

This course provides an opportunity to analyze law and policy in the fast- growing area of law concerning people with disabilities. Legislation to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability has produced substantial results in employment, education, housing, health and other fields. Students ...

Is there a place in the law for the consideration of the interests of animals? Throughout the semester, we will examine the jurisprudential basis and theoretical underpinnings of the current status of animals in our legal system. Students will read a diverse cross-section of legal theory and case la...

The course studies the development, interpretation, and application of the antitrust laws of the United States, specifically the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, FTC Act and other laws designed to protect consumers by ensuring competition in the marketplace. Specific topics include dominant firm behavior a...

This pass-fail course teaches students to do the work of an appellate clerk. We will analyze briefs and record excerpts, write sample bench memos, and draft and edit opinions. I expect students to attend every class unless excused. The class is only open to students who have accepted an appellate clerkship or who plan to apply to one.

This course covers Title 11 of the U.S. Code, the Bankruptcy Code. It includes both consumer and business bankruptcy and a modest introduction to state law collection issues. Students learn the basic concepts of "straight" bankruptcy liquidation (Chapter 7), in which a trustee is appointed to sell t...

This is the basic introductory course in business organizations. It considers issues relating to the selection of business form (partnership, limited partnership, corporation, and limited liability company), as well as the formation, financing, operation, and control of business entities. Primary em...